Pressure Myography to Study the Function and Structure of Isolated Small Arteries.

Small arteries play an important role in regulation of peripheral resistance and organ perfusion. Here we describe a series of methods allowing measurements in pressurized segments of small arteries from the systemic and coronary circulation of mice as well as other species. The pressure myography techniques described include measurements of wall structure, wall stress, strain, and myogenic tone. The pressurized perfused small arteries also allow evaluation of responses to increases in pressure, flow, and drugs, where the main readout is changes in vascular diameter.